All communities in Fraser Health have a care team with a palliative care physician, nurse, social worker who can assist with assessment of symptoms, recommend resources and supports and initiate home care services for people with serious illness. (Palliative care is for people from the time of diagnosis of cancer or other serious illness)

The process can be

Have their doctor make a referral to the Delta (or other community) Hospice Palliative Care Program so they can become connected to the program and can access symptom management from the medical palliative care doctor.They can also access some medications and other resources at no cost on this program

In Delta, call the Centre for Supportive Care (604-948-0660) and ask to speak with the social worker to set up an appointment. The social worker can also connect people with the palliative care doctor.

For supportive services such as Delta’s relaxation circle, living with cancer support group and restorative yoga or counselling for themselves and/or the family, call reception at the Centre for Supportive Care (604-948-0660)

Friends and family can come into the Centre with or without the person and see some of our resources. They can also come to the relaxation circle with the person

Anyone can have a Care at Home Binder to help manage care at home

Delta Hospice Society trained volunteers can companion with someone at any point along their journey

All these services are offered at no cost

Family members, friends, health care professionals or patients may request support. Each situation is assessed on an individual basis to help people determine what it is they need and how to access services. The following referral information covers referral to:

Delta’s Supportive Care Program

The Delta Hospice Palliative Care Program

Specialist Consultation Support

Home Care Nursing

After Hours Support – BC NurseLine

The BC Palliative Care Benefits Program

Compassionate Leave for Caregivers

Referral to Delta’s Supportive Care Program

Support is offered to people early ~ at the very difficult time when the diagnosis of cancer or other life-threatening illness is given. It continues to be available if there is a recurrence, complexity of symptoms, with advanced illness and bereavement. Support is extended to family members, friends, businesses, schools, colleagues and community. Bereavement support is available to anyone following a death and includes sudden or traumatic deaths from accidents, suicide or other traumas. Too often, people are referred in the last weeks of their lives. The earlier a person is referred to the program, the greater benefit to the individual and/or family. Call 604-948-0660.

Referral to Delta’s Hospice Palliative Care Program

Referral to the hospice palliative care program is appropriate within the last months or weeks of life. There may be a need for home care nursing, personal care assistance or symptom management. Although hospice criteria allows for people to be admitted to the program with a six-month prognosis, too often people are referred in the last weeks of life and do not receive the true benefit of the program. Anyone can make a referral to the program.

Referral to the Hospice Palliative Care Consultation Team

In Delta, the Clinical Nurse Specialist, Physician Specialist and Counsellors are available to individuals and families as well as to care team members. They work closely with family physicians in a consultation role to assist with complex medical, emotional, social or spiritual issues.

To reach the counselling staff, call the Supportive Care Centre at 604-948-0660 Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Referral to Home Care for Registered Nurses, call 604-948-0660

Home Care Nursing provides professional nursing care to eligible British Columbia residents of all ages outside the confines of an acute care hospital. A request for service may originate from the physician, patient, family, hospice or community agency.

The Home Care team will set up home support services to provide help with personal care. This home help, when referred by Home Care Nursing, is free of charge. Additional services can be paid for on a private basis or with financial assistance from a variety of government programs. For a list of Home Support Agencies, call Delta Hospice at 604-948-0660.

After Hours Support

BC NurseLine provides easy access to help for your health concerns any time of the day or night. The BC NurseLine is a toll-free health information line, staffed by knowledgeable specially trained registered nurses who answer your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The nurse helps you to know when you can treat a problem safely at home, and when you need to see a doctor or go to an emergency room. The nurse will help to determine whether there is a need to seek further medical assistance.

BC NurseLine Information 811

24 hour toll-free within BC 1-866-215-4700

In Greater Vancouver 604-215-4700

Deaf/hearing impaired toll-free 1-966-889-4700

Translation services are available in 130 languages.

Referral to the BC Palliative Care Benefits Program

Previously, choosing to die at home surrounded by family and friends was often not an option because of the cost to individuals for medication, medical supplies and equipment needed for care and treatment.

The BC Palliative Care Benefits Program, which became effective on February 1, 2001, removes some of the financial barrier for BC residents who want to receive hospice palliative care services at home. The BC Palliative Care Benefits Program is funded and administered by the Ministry of Health. Pharmacare, through Pharmanet, facilitates payment for the drugs dispensed to eligible patients.

Eligibility is determined by an individual’s physician. The program was developed to support individuals of any age who have advanced illness and are facing months, weeks or days to live. Persons eligible are BC residents who are enrolled in MSP, are living at home, and have a life expectancy of up to six months.

The Drug Program provides coverage for prescribed medications that support symptom control and quality of life, and selected non-prescription medications required along with those prescribed medications. Physicians and pharmacists have a copy of the Palliative Care Drug Formulary that lists all medications currently available at no cost as benefits under the Program.

A physician must make a referral for medical supplies and equipment directly to the local health authority (Fraser Health Authority for Delta). The home care nurse or nurse from the palliative care program will help to determine what medical supplies and equipment are required.

Information on Compassionate Care Benefits (benefits paid to persons who have to be away from work temporarily to provide care or support to a family member who is gravely ill with a significant risk of death) and survivor benefits can be found at www.canadabenefits.gc.ca